A/N: I should warn you, I am going to be especially evil in this chapter and the next. The next chapter is also going to be a good deal shorter than my previous ones. Also, I've been considering writing an accompanying piece to "A Series of Unfortunate Events" about the nine months in between "The Dark Knight" and "Batman Begins", so if anyone is interested, vote on the pole on my profile or leave your answer in a review. And, in the previous few chapters, I've hidden little references that I've been hoping people will catch. Points will go to anyone who can identify them. Anyways, please leave a review and enjoy the chapter!

Darkest Before the Dawn

Rachel and Jenna were in the living room of Bruce's penthouse, watching the press conference on the TV. Jenna's eyes were still red from having cried herself to sleep last night and she was currently fiddling with her charm bracelet, trying to get a rid of her tension and nervous energy that threatened to make her implode.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming," Harvey began. "I've called this press conference for two reasons: Firstly, to assure the citizens of Gotham that everything that can be done about the Joker killings is being done," there were some disgruntled murmurs at that. "Secondly, because the Batman has offered to turn himself in. But let's consider the situation. Should we give into this terrorist's demands? Do we really think he's going to–"

"You'd rather protect an outlaw vigilante than the lives of citizens?" shouted one woman. Jenna clenched her jaw; even though she wanted to murder Bruce for doing this, she couldn't believe how easily and willingly people would turn on the Batman.

"The Batman is an outlaw. But that's not why we demand he turn himself in, we're doing it because we're scared. We've been happy to let Batman clean up our streets till now," Harvey pointed out.

"Things are worse than ever," shouted someone else, and people muttered in agreement.

"Yes, they are. But the night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming. One day, the Batman will have to answer for the laws he's broken. But to us, not to this madman."

"No more dead cops," shouted one policeman and his comrades cheered.

"He should turn himself in." Soon people everywhere were shouting, "Give us the Batman! Come on!" Jenna sighed as her last hope was shattered like glass.

"So be it. Take the Batman into custody," Harvey told the police. The people looked around, confused. "I am the Batman." People exclaimed in shock and surprise as Harvey held out his arms to be handcuffed. Jenna widened her eyes and covered her mouth, realizing the plan. Rachel, however, had seen enough and brought out an envelope and paper. Jenna wanted to ask, but could tell from her aunt's face that now was not the right time. When she was finished, Rachel told Jenna to get her things together and to get ready to go. Jenna didn't have to ask to know what was happening; she was choosing.

"Alfred. Why is he letting Harvey do this?" Rachel inquired.

"He went down to the press conference," Alfred pointed out.

"I know. And he just stood by."

"Perhaps both Master Wayne and Mr. Dent believe that Batman stands for something more important, than the whims of a terrorist Miss Dawes, even if everyone hates him for it. That's the sacrifice he's making. He's not being a hero. He's being something more."

"Yeah, you're absolutely right. Letting Harvey take the fall for this is not heroic at all… You know him better than anyone."

"I do." Rachel brought out the envelope.

"Will you give this to him for me? When the time is right?"

"How will I know?"

"It's not sealed." Rachel hugged Alfred. "Goodbye Alfred."

"Bye Rachel." Rachel headed toward the elevator.

"Tell Bruce I'm sorry for the slap and I forgive him for almost leaving me again, please," Jenna asked. "I'd tell him myself, but I think he's going to need a little space after reading the letter." Alfred nodded. Jenna thanked him and hugged him goodbye, before running after her aunt.

Harvey looked up to see Rachel and Jenna walking into his cell. Jenna immediately leaped at him and gave him a gigantic hug.

"I'm sorry, I didn't have time to talk this through with you," Harvey said to Rachel over Jenna's shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Rachel asked.

"They're transferring me to Central Holding. This is the Joker's chance, and when he attacks, the Batman will take him down," Harvey explained, Ramirez entering the cell to lead him away, Jenna and Rachel following them.

"Listen to me. This is too dangerous. He's using you as bait. He doesn't even know if he can get the Joker. He's failed so far."

"How do you know what he's thinking?"

"I just do. Anyway, this isn't just about you. What about all the people depending on you to clean the city up and to do it honorably and–" Harvey cut her off with a kiss, which caused Jenna gag in disgust. "Harvey, tell everyone with the truth."

"Heads, I go through with it," he said, flipping Rachel his father's lucky coin.

"This is your life. You can't leave something like that to chance."

"I'm not." The door slammed. Rachel looked the coin over and saw it had two heads and no tails.

"You make your own luck." Jenna's jaw dropped.

"That two-faced bastard!" Jenna cried. Rachel looked at her. "We flipped that coin to see who would get the last ice cream bar." Rachel laughed and rolled her eyes before putting her arm over her niece's shoulder and heading for the door.

"Excuse me, Miss Dawes?" The two of them turned to see Anna Ramirez. "I'd like to apologize for my behavior last night. It's just we've been so focused on getting the Joker, I wanted to know everything."

"Apology accepted, Detective," Rachel said. Ramirez nodded and looked at Jenna.

"You've got some impressive moves, Jenna. Your mother would be proud." Jenna smiled. "Say, do you two need a ride?"

"We'd appreciate it," Jenna answered for her aunt.

"I'll go get my car." Ramirez walked off. Rachel turned to Jenna.

"Jenna, I'm not so sure about this."

"Come on, between this and a cab, which would you feel safer in." Rachel frowned. "She was mom's friend Rachel. I trust her." Rachel sighed and nodded. Ramirez came by a minute later and they got in her car.

"Where to?"

"Aurora Apartments on the corner of Baker Street and Broadway," Rachel told her. Ramirez nodded and started to drive. Jenna stared out of the window, watching the world pass by. Around half way home, they stopped at a red light and Ramirez ducked down in her seat. Rachel looked over and asked, "Is something wrong?" Ramirez straightened up, wearing a gas mask, and threw an activated smoke bomb into the back seat. The car quickly filled with knockout gas and Jenna and Rachel started coughing and trying to get out of the car. However, the back seats of police cars don't have door handles, making them difficult to get out of. Jenna passed out in her seat, her aunt's unconscious body being the last thing she saw.

Jenna woke up, groaning from the pounding in her head. She was immediately aware of two things: the first being she was tied to a chair in who knows where, and the second being that she was surrounded by oil drums and sitting on one of the drums, was a timer counting down. She looked around trying to find a way out but the warehouse was dim and she could hardly see ten feet in front of her. Jenna suddenly realized that there was a phone with two familiar voices emitting from it.

"Rachel? Harvey? Is that you?"

"JENNA!"

"OH GOD NO JENNA THEY GOT YOU TOO!"

"Rachel, Harvey, I'm fine," she tried reassuring them. "A little bruised maybe but nothing long term."

"You're not tied up to any barrels?" Harvey asked. Jenna bit her lip.

"No. I am." Jenna could hear something that sounded like her aunt crying.

"Jenna, it's gonna be alright, ok? Try to find something sharp to cut your ropes off with," Harvey instructed her. Jenna reached into her jacket sleeve, trying to reach her charm bracelet, when she realized it wasn't there.

"It's gone!"

"What is?"

"My charm bracelet. They must've known I could cut through the ropes with it." Jenna bit back a sob. "Bruce gave that to me, and it was filled with charms from my mom."

"I'm sorry Jenna but we have to focus on getting out of this."

"Right, sorry Harvey." Jenna said, shaking herself back into focus.

"Do you see anything else sharp?"

"… No."

"What about you Harvey, can you find something sharp?" Rachel asked, trying to stop her sobbing.

"I'm trying." There was the sound of Harvey moving his chair.

"Harvey, what's happening?" Harvey shouted and it sounded like he fell over, knocking over one of the barrels. "What – What – What's happening?" Jenna and Rachel could hear Harvey cursing and what sounded like oil spilling. "Harvey, Jenna, listen, just in case, I wanna tell you something ok?"

"Don't think like that Rachel. They're coming for you. You and Jenna," Harvey assured her.

"I know but I don't want them to. I don't wanna live without either of you and I have an answer for you, and my answer is yes."

There was the sound of a door banging open and Harvey screamed, "NO! NO! NO! NOT ME, WHY'RE YOU COMING FOR ME! NO! RACHEL, RACHEL! NO! NO! RACHEL!"

"Harvey, it's ok, it's alright," Rachel soothed him. Jenna and Rachel listen to Harvey's cries grow fainter and fainter as someone dragged him away. "Jenna?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you hear anyone coming for you?" Jenna sniffled a bit.

"No." Jenna heard Rachel bit back a sob.

"It's gonna be alright, ok? Listen. Some−"

BOOM!

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